William Eichler 21 March 2022

Clean air zones creating North/South electric vehicle divide

Clean air zones creating North/South electric vehicle divide  image
Image: Alena Veasey / Shutterstock.com.

The roll-out of clean air zones by councils is creating a dramatic North/South divide when it comes to electric vehicle (EV) take-up, new figures suggest.

Sales figures sourced from the online car marketplace heycar show that there is a disproportionately high take-up of EVs in areas south of Birmingham, while the rest of the country lags behind.

Heycar’s analysis has found EV stock levels and used prices are broadly the same across the UK. However, they say that demand has been skewed by the expansion of the ultra-low emission zone (ULEZ) in London and the introduction of clean air zones in other areas.

In October 2020 EV demand in the South was 30% higher than in the North of the UK. In October 2021 this figure swung by 108% in the South’s favour – coinciding with the month when the ULEZ was extended.

Over the last six months, EV demand has remained high at 70% in the South’s favour, meaning demand is being driven by the introduction of clean air zones in the South.

Dan Powell, senior editor at heycar, said: ‘There is clear evidence to suggest that clean air zones are creating market conditions that are driving the take-up of electric cars in the south and leaving other parts of the country lagging behind.

‘Sadly, this has had a number of serious knock-on effects on car buyers in the north, with fewer public EV chargers and dwindling resources for the plug-in grant. "As a result, the north-south gap will be extremely difficult to close without significant investment from the government.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

HR Onboarding Officer (CDC)

City Of Doncaster Council
Grade 7, £27,259 - £29,955 (Pay award pending)
You have an opportunity to be part of a busy Human Resources team which offers HR support across the Council. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: City Of Doncaster Council

Purchase to Pay Administrator (Fixed Term) - WMF2122e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£25,584 - £25,992
We are looking for an Administrator to join our Purchase to Pay and Accounts Receivables team Cumbria / Various
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Social Worker - WMF2123e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£41,511 - £42,708
We’re looking for passionate social workers to join our team in Kendal following a recent reshape of our services. Kendal, Cumbria
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Environmental Health Officer

Wyre Borough Council
£38,626 - £41,511
We are looking to appoint a full time Environmental Health Officer within the Environmental Protection and Community Safety Department. Poulton-Le-Fylde, Lancashire
Recuriter: Wyre Borough Council

Trainee Graduate Accountant

Wyre Borough Council
£25,992 - £37,938
Are you looking to kickstart your career in Finance? Poulton-Le-Fylde, Lancashire
Recuriter: Wyre Borough Council
Linkedin Banner